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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a volume-limited, kid-proof wired headphone built for school, tablets and travel, choose Nabevi Kids Headphones; if you need a USB-C over-ear headset for your own calls, music and commuting, choose ApilWave Headphones USB C. These two share an oval over-ear shape and a 40mm dynamic driver, but they are aimed at completely different heads. One is a parenting tool. The other is an everyday adult headset.
• Nabevi's biggest strength: an adjustable 85dB / 94dB volume limit plus a share port that turns one tablet into a two-kid cinema.
• Nabevi's biggest trade-off: it is wired 3.5mm only, so modern USB-C and Lightning-only devices need an adapter that isn't in the box.
• ApilWave's biggest strength: USB-C connectivity with in-line controls and an HD mic, plus a foldable, pouch-friendly frame for travel.
• ApilWave's biggest trade-off: there is no volume limiter, so it is not the safer pick for a young child's ears.
• Choose Nabevi if the listener is a kid and hearing protection is the whole point. Choose ApilWave if the listener is you, on a laptop or a USB-C phone.
The Nabevi Kids Headphones do one job extremely well: they put a hard ceiling on how loud things can get. The volume tops out at 85dB for everyday listening, and you can switch it to 94dB when your child is on a plane or in a noisy car and genuinely needs to hear the dialogue. That two-step design is the entire reason this headphone exists, and it's the first thing I'd look at if hearing protection is your priority.
Around that core idea, Nabevi built a genuinely kid-friendly object. There are no metal parts, which keeps the weight down, and the streamlined shell has no sharp 90-degree corners to catch a small head. The ear cushions are oval, over-ear, and made from soft foam under breathable protein-leather padding, so a long movie doesn't turn into a fidget session. The headband adjusts to fit different head sizes without squeezing, and the nylon cord is tightly woven and meant to resist yanking — a real consideration when the cable is the part kids destroy first.
Who should buy it: parents of younger children who want a volume cap, a shareable headphone, and something that survives being stuffed in a backpack. Who should skip it: anyone whose device has no headphone jack, or an adult who wants USB-C, in-line track controls and a folding travel frame. The Nabevi is the wrong tool for those jobs.
ApilWave Headphones USB C: Who It's For
The ApilWave Headphones USB C are built for a different person entirely — an adult or teenager who wants one wired headset that plugs into a modern laptop or USB-C phone and just works. The headline here is the USB-C connection, which sidesteps the adapter problem that plagues old 3.5mm gear on newer phones and tablets.
The control scheme is the practical heart of it. A single multi-function button click plays or pauses, a double click skips forward, a triple click goes back, and the same HD microphone on the cable handles hands-free calls and online learning. Because the controls live on the wire, you can manage playback and calls without pulling your phone out — ApilWave even points out the buttons are usable while wearing gloves, which matters if you're walking or commuting in cold weather.
ApilWave leans hard into comfort and portability, and the numbers back it up. The headphone weighs about 195 grams with protein-leather, memory-foam earcups, an adjustable headband, and earcups that rotate 90 degrees to fit different head shapes. The 32Ω impedance and 40mm dynamic driver mean it can run loud enough straight off a phone or laptop without a separate amp — handy for long gaming sessions or deep-work days. The 1.2-meter braided, tangle-free cable is a sensible length for a desk or a seat-back, and the whole thing folds down into the included storage pouch or swivels flat to hang around your neck. ApilWave lists specific uses like gaming, school and travel, and notes it is not water resistant, so sweat-heavy workouts are a risk.
Who should buy it: anyone with a USB-C device who wants wired reliability, in-line controls, and a headset that packs flat. Who should skip it: parents buying for a young child — with no volume limit and an adult age range, it isn't the protective choice for small ears.
• Best for protecting a child's hearing → Nabevi Kids Headphones. The 85dB/94dB limit is the deciding feature.
• Best for USB-C devices → ApilWave Headphones USB C. No adapter needed on modern phones and laptops.
• Best for sharing one screen → Nabevi Kids Headphones. The 3.5mm share port links a second headphone with zero setup.
• Best for calls and track control → ApilWave Headphones USB C. Multi-function button plus an on-cable HD mic.
• Best for travel packing → ApilWave Headphones USB C. Foldable cups, 90-degree rotation and a storage pouch.
• Best for younger kids' durability → Nabevi Kids Headphones. No metal parts, no sharp corners, reinforced nylon cord.
• Best for long sessions on your own head → ApilWave Headphones USB C. Lighter at roughly 195g versus 200g, with memory-foam cushions.
• Best for a mixed-age household → buy both. They solve different problems and don't really compete.
If I had to pick one, I'd buy the Nabevi Kids Headphones when the listener is a child, because the volume limit and share port are things nothing else in this pair offers — and for a kid, those matter more than USB-C. I'd buy the ApilWave Headphones USB C when the listener is an adult or teen on a USB-C device who wants controls, calls and a folding travel frame. My honest read: these aren't rivals so much as two different jobs. Match the headphone to the head.
Nabevi markets them for kids and caps the volume at 85dB, with a 94dB option for noisy settings. The over-ear fit, lack of metal parts and rounded shell are all aimed at younger users, though you should confirm the fit on a very small head.
They use a USB-C connection, and the listing names iPhone 17/16/15-class devices plus computers. Older iPhones with Lightning ports would need the right adapter, so check your port before buying.
Both use a 40mm dynamic driver, so they're in a similar class. Nabevi lists a 20Hz–20,000Hz range; ApilWave emphasizes its 32Ω impedance for easy, amp-free volume. In my opinion, neither is a studio set — pick based on features, not audiophile claims.
No. Both are wired. Nabevi uses a 3.5mm jack with passive noise cancellation from the over-ear seal; ApilWave uses USB-C. If you want Bluetooth, neither fits.
I don't quote prices here — check the latest price on Amazon using the button on this page for each model before you decide.
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